Earmuffs vs. Earplugs

What is the best hearing protection?

Hearing protection may be necessary if machinery is used in your processing plant. Hearing protection is critical to reiterate due to its long-term impact on your team members.

Hearing protection is beneficial, but what is the best option?

 

The two most common types of hearing protection are earplugs and earmuffs. Earplugs are inserted into the ear, while an earmuff is worn over the head and covers the ear. However, both can leak noise if not correctly applied. Earmuffs are cost-effective and reusable, but the hygiene excellence of earplugs is unsurpassed.


Earmuffs

  • Compliance – It is easier to check visually that they are in place and worn correctly.
  • When appropriately worn – they are a secure fit, and there is a lower risk of them falling off and into food products.
  • Reusable – cost-effective although less hygienic
  • Easier to apply, reduced application error resulting In sound leakage.

Earplugs

When choosing earplugs, food safety is an essential factor to consider. Metal-detectable corded or banded earplugs are the obvious choices, as they are less likely to become a contaminant than the uncorded type. There are two main types of corded earplugs: foam and soft silicon/plastic blend. The foam type requires the correct fitting technique involving rolling with a finger and thumb and inserting it in the ear. They are usually discarded after being removed.

The plastic type can be washed and reused if the appropriate techniques are enforced.

 

Disposable - hygienic

  • Metal-detectable versions are available
  • Less bulky
  • More comfortable to wear in warmer seasons
  • The foam type needs more training to fit

Banded

  • Lightweight and can be fitted or removed quickly and easily
  • Plugs can be disposed of and replaced while the band is reused, ensuring excellent hygiene. However, the band can become a contamination risk if they are not cleaned
     

Corded

  • The most hygienic and food-safe option on the market, especially if they are also the non-foam metal detectable style.
  • Very secure – even if one plug falls out of the ear, it will still be attached to the other plug
  • Can be handled via the cord so that the contaminated plugs are not touching
  • Can be easily disposed of after use

Which hearing protection option is the most appropriate for you will depend on your hygiene and safety requirements balanced against the noise of your machinery. Different types of noises can impact hearing, particularly loud noises if they occur frequently enough, which will affect your eardrums. However, the constant noise of machinery often has the most impact on long-term hearing. Protecting your workers’ hearing is critical, as the consequence of inadequate protection reaches far into the future.

 

Hearing is one of our core sensors, and noise is often one of the first indications of danger. In the event of a fire or any emergency warning, there is a risk that workers will be unaware of this.

In situations where high sound protection is necessary, you may consider alternatives to alert your team when an emergency occurs, such as a flashing red light.


Remember that a higher hearing protection rating is not necessarily the best. Having the noise levels professionally measured will enable you to determine the level and type of hearing protection required for your team’s safety. The best solution is a noise protection rating that protects the wearer while still allowing the wearer to be aware of hazardous machinery and audible warnings.